System for downloading digital content published in a media channel

ABSTRACT

A system ( 10 ) for downloading digital content ( 5 ) to a video-enabled portable media player ( 20 ), the digital content ( 5 ) being published in a media channel ( 30 ) by a content creator, the system ( 10 ) comprising: a data receiver module ( 11 ) to receive the digital content ( 5 ) from the media channel ( 30 ) via a communication medium; a conversion module ( 12 ) to convert the received digital content to at least one video file ( 40 ) of a predetermined video format; and a download module ( 13 ) to copy the at least one video file ( 40 ) to the portable media player ( 20 ); wherein the video file ( 40 ) ensures the digital content is consumed in the same order that the digital content ( 5 ) is published in the media channel ( 30 ) by the content creator.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention concerns a system for downloading digital content to avideo-enabled portable media player, where the digital content ispublished in a media channel by a content creator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A podcast is a digital recording of a radio broadcast or similarprogramme, made available on the Internet in a number of separate filesfor downloading to a personal audio player. Apart from audio content,other digital content such as images, photos, text and videos may alsobe web cast to portable media players, on demand.

Really Simple Syndication (RSS) is a popular news feed syndicationformat for podcasting to a portable media player. RSS has made it easierfor users to manage and subscribe to more pod casts.

A familiar problem is that after completing the download process, thedigital media is unable to be consumed in the original order intended bythe content creator. This may be because the content is not stored inthe original order or cannot be categorized in the original order. Theproblem is exacerbated when more than one type of digital content isdownloaded. Typically, the file system of a portable media playerorganizes digital content in a series of directories or foldersaccording to its file type even though multiple files are related to thesame multimedia web cast. The inability to preserve the playback orderreduces the enjoyment for the user since they must either tediouslyarrange the files in the correct order or sacrifice experiencing somedigital content.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first preferred aspect, there is provided a system for downloadingdigital content to a video-enabled portable media player, the digitalcontent being published in a media channel by a content creator, thesystem comprising:

-   -   a data receiver module to receive the digital content from the        media channel via a communication medium;    -   a conversion module to convert the received digital content to        at least one video file of a predetermined video format; and    -   a download module to copy the at least one video file to the        portable media player;    -   wherein the video file ensures the digital content is consumed        in the same order that the digital content is published in the        media channel by the content creator.

The digital content may be at least one from the group consisting of:text, images, audio, and video.

The media channel may be any one from the group consisting of: web cast,and a pod cast.

The at least one video file may be stored in a single location on theportable media player, the single location being any one from the groupconsisting of: directory, folder and node.

The system may further comprise a player detection module to detectvideo formats compatible with the portable media player.

The player detection module may also detect the display capability andaudio capability of the portable media player including screen size,resolution, contrast level, audio bit rate, or stereo capability.

The predetermined video format may be selected according to display andaudio capabilities of the portable media player.

The predetermined video format may be any one from the group consistingof MPG, MPEG, AVI, MOV, WMV and ASF.

The predetermined video format may enable user configuration of chaptermarkers in the video file for convenient frame manipulation.

The digital content may be received by the data receiver module in theorder the digital content is published in the media channel.

If the digital content is text, the conversion module may paginate thetext based on the size of the display of the portable media player,converts each page of text into a video frame, and creates a slideshowby combining the video frames into the video file.

Bookmarks may be placed for at least one page in the video file.

If the digital content is an image, the conversion module may converteach image into a common image format, scales the image to a resolutionsupported by the portable media player, and converts each image into avideo frame for the video file

Either special or transition effects may be applied to the image whenthe video file is created.

Background music may be added as part of the audio stream of the videofile to provide an enhanced multimedia experience to the user.

If the digital content is an audio file, the conversion module mayconvert the audio file to a predetermined audio format supported by theportable media player and converts the audio content of the audio fileto an audio stream of the video file.

The audio content of the audio file may be enhanced, and the videostream of the video file includes any one from the group consisting of:playback visualizations, single frame video containing channel artworkand/or description of the content together with audio properties such asAlbum Name, Artist and Content Category, and random images selected fromthe player grouped together as a slideshow.

If the digital content is a video file that is in a video format notnatively supported by the portable media player, the conversion modulemay transcode the video file into a video format natively supported bythe portable media player.

The filename of the video file may be in the form of:[YYMMDDHHMM]-[CHANNEL NAME]-[FILENAME].AVI

The system may reside on a server accessible via the Internet.

In a second aspect, there is provided a method for downloading digitalcontent to a video-enabled portable media player, the digital contentbeing published in a media channel by a content creator, the methodcomprising:

-   -   receiving the digital content from the media channel via a        communication medium;    -   converting the received digital content to at least one video        file of a predetermined video format; and    -   copying the at least one video file to the portable media        player;    -   wherein the video file ensures the digital content is consumed        in the same order that the digital content is published in the        media channel by the content creator.

The method may further comprise detecting video formats compatible withthe portable media player.

The method may further comprise selecting the predetermined video formataccording to suitability for the portable media player.

In a third aspect, there is provided a system for downloading digitalcontent to a video-enabled portable media player, the digital contentbeing published in a media channel by a content creator, the systemcomprising:

-   -   a user interface to be displayed to the user in response to a        user action, the user interface enabling digital content to be        selectively downloaded directly to the portable media player;        and    -   a download module to receive the selected digital content from        the media channel via a communication medium and to transmit the        selected digital content to the portable media player without        making a local copy.

The download module may receive the selected digital content in a memorybuffer temporarily storing data relating to the digital content beforethe digital content is saved to the portable media player.

The system may further comprise a conversion module to convert thereceived digital content to at least one video file of a predeterminedvideo format; wherein the video file ensures the digital content isconsumed in the same order that the digital content is published in themedia channel by the content creator.

The user action may be any one from the group consisting of clicking alink or button to download digital content.

The user interface may comprise a plurality of columns including: titleof the digital content, file size of the digital content, release dateof the digital content and brief description of the digital content; acheckbox associated with each digital content to indicate whether thedigital content is to be downloaded; and a portable media playerselection field to indicate the type of the portable media player.

The plurality of columns may further include name of the media channel,author of the digital content, artwork, URL of the digital content andlanguage of the digital content.

The system may be in the form of an OCX/Active X plugin for a webbrowser application.

The download module may maintain the digital rights of the contentcreator of the digital content.

The user interface may further comprise a download location input fieldto indicate the storage location for a local copy of the digitalcontent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An example of the invention will now be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the system in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a process flow diagram of a downloading method in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a screenshot of the system embodied as a client-basedapplication;

FIG. 4 is a storage diagram of the folders of the system;

FIG. 5 is a navigation flow diagram of media playback on the portablemedia device;

FIG. 6 is an activity diagram for publishing and downloading digitalcontent;

FIG. 7 is an activity diagram for selecting and downloading digitalcontent;

FIG. 8 is an activity diagram for downloading digital content inaccordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a screenshot of a media channel for use with the secondembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a screenshot of the download manager in accordance with thesecond embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 and the following discussion are intended to provide a brief,general description of a suitable computing environment in which thepresent invention may be implemented. Although not required, theinvention will be described in the general context ofcomputer-executable instructions, such as program modules, beingexecuted by a computer such as a personal computer, laptop computer,notebook computer, tablet computer, PDA and the like. Generally, programmodules include routines, programs, characters, components, datastructures, that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, theinvention may be practiced with other computer system configurations,including hand-held devices, multiprocessor systems,microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs,minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. The invention may alsobe practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, a system 10 for downloading digital content5 to a video-enabled portable media player 20 is provided. The digitalcontent 5 is published in a media channel 30 by a content creator. Thesystem 10 generally comprises a data receiver module 11, a conversionmodule 12 and a download module 13. The data receiver module 11 receivesthe digital content 5 from the media channel 30 via a communicationmedium, for example, the Internet. The conversion module 12 converts thereceived digital content 5 to a video file 40 of a predetermined videoformat. The predetermined video format may be non-proprietary formatssuch as MPG, MPEG, AVI; and also proprietary formats such as Apple™QuickTime™ MOV, Microsoft™ ASF and WMV. The download module 13 thencopies the video file 40 to the player 20. The video file 40 ensures thedigital content is consumed in the same order that the digital contentis published in the media channel 30 by the content creator.

Any type of digital content 5 is converted into a video file 40 beforetransferring to the player 20. Digital content 5 includes text, photos,music and video. The system 10 enables web casters and podcasters tocreate digital content 5 in any digital format using any type andpublish it using RSS. When the system 10 downloads digital content 5 toa desktop computer 9 via the Internet, the digital content is able to beconsumed by the user in exactly same order as how the content ispublished in the media channel 30.

The system 10 allows user to consume (playback, view, listen andexperience) the digital content directly from their desktop computer 9,or allows them to consume the digital content from their player 20.Preferably, the user chooses the latter by connecting their player 20 totheir desktop computer 9 to check and synchronise with the media portal50 or media channel 30 and automatically select new digital content 5.To enhance convenience, not only is the content for the subscribed mediachannels 30 automatically updated, but the conversion to video of alldigital content 5 is performed automatically by the system 10.

To enable consumption of the digital content from the player 20, thesystem 10 transfers each podcast/webcast of each channel 30 of thedigital content into the player 20 as an individual video file 40. Thetransfer process converts all downloaded digital content 5 into videoformat as video frames or the audio stream of the video format, andpreserves the playback order of the digital content when it is playedback in the player 20. The video display of the player 20 is leveragedfor all digital content that requires a display such as images and videocontent. Also, for a pod cast/web cast that is primarily audio content,the display is also leveraged. For example, a desired image for a podcast (such as album art) is displayed by the player 20 whilst playingthe audio. The album art may be static throughout the audio playback orchange periodically, depending on the intent of the content creator.

For text-based digital content, the conversion module 12 performs thefollowing:

-   -   1. Text-based content is paginated based on the screen size of        the player 20 connected to the desktop computer 9;    -   2. Each page is converted to a video frame;    -   3. A slideshow is then created based on each of these video        frames and stored into an AVI file (or any video format        supported by the player 20) using a suitable video encoder (for        example, MJPEG);    -   4. Each page may be configured to be displayed for a        predetermined amount of time, such as, for example, one minute;    -   5. If the player 20 supports video bookmarks, each page is        bookmarked so that a user can navigate through the slideshow        using controls on the player 20;    -   6. The filename of the output video file 40 is created based on        the template [YYMMDDHHMM]-[CHANNEL NAME]-[FILENAME].AVI    -   7. Background audio may be added to the slideshow

The video file 40 is preferably date/time stamped as files 40 may bedownloaded more than once per day.

For image-based digital content such as photos, the conversion module 12performs the following:

-   -   1. Each photo is converted into an image format (such as widely        support format like JPEG), and scaled to a resolution that is        supported by the player 20 connected to the desktop computer 9;    -   2. Each photo is converted into a video frame and all video        frames are saved into a video file 40 using a suitable video        encoder (e.g. MJPEG). Special effects and transition effects may        be applied to the photos when the video file 40 is created.        Special effects may include:        -   a. Zoom in during initial display and zoom out before ending            display;        -   b. Sliding photo into view;        -   c. Other animations or video frame transitions;        -   d. Fanciful borders and inline imaging.    -   3. Each video file 40 plays back for certain period time. The        duration of the video file 40 and video frame rate is user        configurable;    -   4. Background music may be added as part of the audio stream of        the video file 40 for an enhanced multimedia experience;    -   5. The filename of the output video file 40 is generated based        on the template [YYMMDDHHMM]-[CHANNEL NAME]-[FILENAME].AVI

For audio-based digital content such as MP3s and music, the conversionmodule 12 performs the following:

-   -   1. Each audio file is converted to a predetermined audio format        (such as, for example, MP3, WMA and so forth) compatible with        and supported by the player 20 connected to the desktop computer        9;    -   2. Each audio file is then converted into an AVI (or any video        format supported by the player 20) using MP3 as the audio        stream. When converting the audio file, the audio may be        enhanced, for example, using proprietary technology like        Creative Technology™'s Crystalizer. The audio bit rate and        frequency range may be modified to maximise the capabilities of        the player 20;    -   3. The video portion of the AVI file can be any one of the        following:        -   a. Playback visualizations (for example, as those seen in            Windows™ Media Player or WinAmp™);        -   b. Single frame video containing channel/album art and            description of the content together with audio properties            such as Album Name, Artist and Content Category;        -   c. Random pictures selected from the player 20 are grouped            together as a slideshow.    -   4. The filename of the output video file 40 is created based on        the template [YYMMDDHHMM]-[CHANNEL NAME]-[FILENAME].AVI

For video-based digital content, the conversion module 12 performs thefollowing:

-   -   1. Video files 40 that are compatible with the desktop computer        9 but are not natively supported by the player 20 are transcoded        using a predetermined video converter residing in the conversion        module 12 before transfer to the player 20.    -   2. The filename of the output video file 40 is created based on        the template [YYMMDDHHMM]-[CHANNEL NAME]-[FILENAME].AVI

Playback of folder-based digital content is not restricted to only theorder in which the content is copied to the player 20 or alphabeticalorder of the content. In addition to the use of video files 40, thesystem 10 ensures the playback order of digital content of a mediachannel 30 corresponds with the intention of the content creatorbecause:

-   -   1. Digital content files 5 are copied in the order from the        media channel 30 in which the digital content is ordered and        organized in the media channel 30;    -   2. The filenames of the output video files 40 are generated        based on the template:        -   [YYMMDDHHMM]-[CHANNEL NAME]-[FILENAME].AVI;    -   3. All content within a media channel 30 are displayed and        copied to a single video folder in the player 20. FIG. 4 depicts        the digital content after conversion to video files 40 in a        single folder (ESPN) named after the media channel 30.

A local database 14 is included with the system 10 which maintainsrecords regarding the technical capabilities of the players 20 whichhave previously connected to the desktop computer 9. The database 14also stores details of files converted and transferred to player 20.This means that the query process to a previously connected player 20 isless intensive and thus minimises overall download time to the player20.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 6 and 7, in a typical scenario, the user uses thesystem 10 to browse via the Internet for a media portal 50 in search ofa media channel 30 or pod cast/digital content. The user connects 100their player 20 to their computer 9 to download new digital content totheir player 20. The system 10 comprises a player detection module todetect the connection and queries the player 20 for its video, audio andstorage capabilities. The results of the query are stored in the localdatabase 14 for future use if this is the first time the player 20 hasconnected to the computer 9. The system 10 detects 101 video formatsthat are compatible with the player 20. Of those compatible videoformats, the video format most preferred by the player 20 is selected102 to convert the digital content into. The user subscribes 103 to themedia channel 30 and the details of the channel 30 are presented in themain window of the user interface of the system 10. Various digitalcontent are presented in a list in the main window, as depicted in FIG.3, for the user to download to their player 20. The user is able toqueue 104 selected digital content from the media channel 30 fordownload to their player 20. The queued digital content is downloaded105 from the media channel 30 by the data receiver module 11. Next, thedigital content is converted 106 by the conversion module 12 anddownloaded 107 to the player 20 by the download module 13.Alternatively, the data receiver module 11 may download the queueddigital content prior to the player 20 connecting with the computer 9.The received digital content is stored on the computer 9 until theplayer 20 is connected. When the player 20 connects, the conversion anddownload process commences. The user disconnects the player 20 from thecomputer 9, and later, consumes 108 the digital content in the exactorder the content creator has published in the media channel 30.

Referring to FIG. 5, the player 20 has a menu driven navigation system.To consume digital content on the player 20, the user begins from theMain Menu. The user navigates to the Video Menu and proceeds to theVideo menu item. The user then selects the media channel 30 they areinterested in. In this subcategory, the user may then consume desireddigital content, for example, episodes published in the media channel40, in the form of video files 40. Alternatively, an option for“Zencast™” may be found in the main menu.

Referring to FIGS. 8 to 10, a second embodiment of the system 10 isprovided in the form of a download manager. The system 10 comprises auser interface 80 and a download module. The user interface 80 isdisplayed to the user in response to a user action, for example,clicking a link or button to download digital content 5, from a mediachannel 30. Preferably, the user interface 80 is launched by the webbrowser application as it is a web plugin. The plugin may be anActiveX/OCX component. If the plugin has not been installed previously,the browser will prompt the user to download and install it. When thebrowser detects a specific file extension or file type, the userinterface 80 is launched and floats above the media channel 30 web page.Once the user interface 80 is launched, it is present in the backgroundto detect any further digital content 5 queued for download. The userinterface 80 enables digital content 5 to be selectively downloadeddirectly to the player 20. The download module receives the selecteddigital content 5 from the media channel 30 via the Internet andtransmits the selected digital content 5 to the player 20 without makinga local copy. This avoids the need for the user to specify a downloadfolder on the computer 9 and then navigate to the download folder andcopy the contents to the player 20. The download module receives theselected digital content in a memory buffer temporarily storing datarelating to the digital content before the digital content 5 is saved tothe player 20. However, the user interface 80 may comprise a downloadlocation input field 82 to indicate the storage location for a localcopy of the digital content 5. Several steps are avoided since thedownload is direct from the media channel 30 to the player 20 and istransparent to the user. The user must specify the type of player 20 inthe player selection field 81 to indicate the type of the player 20.Optionally, if the user wants to make a local copy on the computer 9 atthe same time, they specify the download location in the downloadlocation input field 82. Once these fields 81, 82 have been specified,the user commences the download process by clicking the “Download Now”button 83.

The download module is able to maintain the digital rights of thecontent creator of the digital content 5.

The user interface 80 comprises a plurality of columns including: titleof the digital content 5, file size of the digital content 5, releasedate of the digital content 5 and brief description of the digitalcontent 5; a checkbox associated with each digital content to indicatewhether the digital content 5 is to be downloaded. Other columns includethe name of the media channel 30, author of the digital content 5,artwork, URL of the digital content and language of the digital content5.

A conversion module 12 is also provided to convert the received digitalcontent to a video file 40. The video file 40 ensures the digitalcontent is consumed in the same order that the digital content 5 ispublished in the media channel 30 by the content creator.

Although the system 10 has been described as a client applicationresiding on a desktop computer 9, it is envisaged that the system 10 maybe a server side application operating in an Application ServiceProvider (ASP) model. In such a scenario, the user interface is providedin a web page which allows the user to specify the media channel 30 anddigital content 5 to download and the details of their player 20. Thefull details of the player 20 may already be stored in a database on theserver side, otherwise a query to the connected player 20 is made, andthe results of the query are uploaded to the server side. Next, when theuser confirms the download is to proceed, the downloading from the mediachannel 30 and conversion occurs on the server-side and the video file40 that is generated is saved to the player 20.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerousvariations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown inthe specific embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit ofthe invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are,therefore, to be considered in all respects illustrative and notrestrictive.

1. A system for downloading digital content to a video-enabled portablemedia player, the digital content being published in a media channel bya content creator, the system comprising: a player detection module todetect video formats that are compatible with the portable media player,a selection module to select one of the compatible video formats toconvert the digital content into; a data receiver module to receive thedigital content from the media channel via a communication medium; aconversion module to convert the received digital content to at leastone video file of the video format selected; and a download module tocopy the at least one video file to the portable media player; whereinthe video file ensures the digital content is consumed in the same orderthat the digital content is published in the media channel by thecontent creator.
 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the digitalcontent is at least one from the group consisting of: text, images,audio, and video.
 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the mediachannel is any one from the group consisting of: web cast, and a podcast.
 4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one videofile is stored in a single location on the portable media player, thesingle location being any one from the group consisting of: directory,folder and node.
 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the playerdetection module also detects the display capability and audiocapability of the portable media player including screen size,resolution, contrast level, audio bit rate, or stereo capability.
 6. Thesystem according to claim 5, wherein the video format is selectedaccording to display and audio capabilities of the portable mediaplayer.
 7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the video format isany one from the group consisting of MPG, MPEG, AVI, MOV, WMV and ASF.8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the video format enablesuser configuration of chapter markers in the video file for convenientframe manipulation.
 9. The system according to claim 1, wherein thedigital content is received by the data receiver module in the order thedigital content is published in the media channel.
 10. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein if the digital content is text, theconversion module paginates the text based on the size of the display ofthe portable media player, converts each page of text into a videoframe, and creates a slideshow by combining the video frames into thevideo file.
 11. The system according to claim 10, wherein bookmarks areplaced for at least one page in the video file.
 12. The system accordingto claim 1, wherein if the digital content is an image, the conversionmodule converts each image into a common image format, scales the imageto a resolution supported by the portable media player, and convertseach image into a video frame for the video file.
 13. The systemaccording to claim 12, wherein either special or transition effects areapplied to the image when the video file is created.
 14. The systemaccording to claim 12, wherein background music is added as part of theaudio stream of the video file to provide an enhanced multimediaexperience to the user.
 15. The system according to claim 1, wherein ifthe digital content is an audio file, the conversion module converts theaudio file to an audio format supported by the portable media player andconverts the audio content of the audio file to an audio stream of thevideo file.
 16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the audiocontent of the audio file is enhanced, and the video stream of the videofile includes any one from the group consisting of: playbackvisualizations, single frame video containing channel artwork and/ordescription of the content together with audio properties such as AlbumName, Artist and Content Category, and random images selected from theplayer grouped together as a slideshow.
 17. The system according toclaim 1, wherein if the digital content is a video file that is in avideo format not natively supported by the portable media player, theconversion module converts by transcoding the video file into a videoformat natively supported by the portable media player.
 18. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the filename of the video file is in theform of: [YYMMDDHHMM]-[CHANNEL NAME]-[FILENAME].AVI.
 19. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the system resides on a server accessiblevia the Internet.
 20. A method for downloading digital content to avideo-enabled portable media player, the digital content being publishedin a media channel by a content creator, the method comprising:detecting video formats that are compatible with the portable mediaplayer; selecting one of the compatible video formats to convert thedigital content into; receiving the digital content from the mediachannel via a communication medium; converting the received digitalcontent to at least one video file of the video format selected; andcopying the at least one video file to the portable media player;wherein the video file ensures the digital content is consumed in thesame order that the digital content is published in the media channel bythe content creator.
 21. A method for downloading digital content to avideo-enabled portable media player, the digital content being publishedin a media channel by a content creator, the method comprising:selecting a predetermined video format according to suitability for theportable media player; receiving the digital content from the mediachannel via a communication medium; converting the received digitalcontent to at least one video file of the predetermined video format;and copying the at least one video file to the portable media player;wherein the video file ensures the digital content is consumed in thesame order that the digital content is published in the media channel bythe content creator.